Home-schoolers UNITE Library program growing quickly

September 14, 2006

The Harris Branch of the Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library has become a popular hangout one day each month for home-schooled kids. The "Homeschool Hangout" recently resumed after a summer hiatus. At the first meeting of the school year, nearly 70 kids and parents showed up. There is no formal program, but rather lots of opportunities for fun and fellowship. Staff members put out a variety of board games, from Bingo to chess to Boggle, and let the kids choose which they wanted to play. The parents, meanwhile, spend the time making some new friends. "It's an opportunity for them (parents) to get together, interact, share ideas," Children's Services Assistant Denise Stuart said during a phone interview. The event has grown so much that in future months, it will be put on in one of the meeting rooms near the front entrance of the branch.